Addison's disease results from damage to the adrenal cortex. The damage causes the cortex to produce less of its hormones.

This damage may be caused by the following:

The immune system mistakenly attacking the gland (autoimmune disease)

Infections such as tuberculosis, HIV, or fungal infections

Hemorrhage, blood loss

Tumors

Use of blood-thinning drugs (anticoagulants)

Risk factors for the autoimmune type of Addison's disease include other autoimmune diseases:

Chronic thyroiditis

Dermatis herpetiformis

Graves' disease

Hypoparathyroidism

Hypopituitarism

Myasthenia gravis

Pernicious anemia

Testicular dysfunction

Type I diabetes

Vitiligo

Certain genetic defects may cause these conditions.

Symptoms

Changes in blood pressure or heart rate

Chronic diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, or loss of appetite resulting in weight loss

Darkening of the skin in some places, causing the skin to look patchy

Paleness

Extreme weakness, fatigue, and slow, sluggish movement

Mouth lesions on the inside of a cheek (buccal mucosa)

Salt craving

Signs and tests

Tests may show:

Increased potassium

Low blood pressure

Low cortisol level

Low serum sodium

Normal sex hormone levels

Other tests may include:

Abdominal x-ray

Abdominal CT scan

This disease may also change the results of the following tests:

17-hydroxycorticosteroids

17-ketosteroids

24-hour urinary aldosterone excretion rate

ACTH

Aldosterone

Blood eosinophil count

CO2

Cortrosyn stimulation test

Potassium test

Renin

Urine cortisol

Treatment

Treatment with replacement corticosteroids will control the symptoms of this disease. However, you will usually need to take these drugs for life. People often receive a combination of glucocorticoids (cortisone or hydrocortisone) and mineralocorticoids (fludrocortisone).

Never skip doses of your medication for this condition, because life-threatening reactions may occur.

The health care provider may increase the medication dose because of:

Infection

Injury

Stress

Surgery

During an extreme form of adrenal insufficiency, called adrenal crisis, you must inject hydrocortisone immediately. Supportive treatment for low blood pressure is usually needed as well.

Some people with Addison's disease are taught to give themselves an emergency injection of hydrocortisone during stressful situations. It is important for you to always carry a medical identification card that states the type of medication and the proper dose you need in case of an emergency. Your health care provider may also tell you to always wear a Medic-Alert tag (such as a bracelet) alerting health care professionals that you have this condition in case of emergency.

Expectations (prognosis)

With hormone replacement therapy, most people with Addison's disease are able to lead normal lives.

Complications

Complications can occur if you take too little or too much adrenal hormone supplement.

Complications also may result from the following related illnesses:

Diabetes

Hashimoto's thyroiditis (chronic thyroiditis)

Hypoparathyroidism

Ovarian hypofunction or testicular failure

Pernicious anemia

Thyrotoxicosis

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if:

You are unable to keep your medication down due to vomiting.

You have been diagnosed with Addison's disease, and you have stress such as infection, injury, trauma, or dehydration. You may need to have your medication adjusted.

Your weight increases over time.

Your ankles begin to swell.

You develop other new symptoms.

If you have symptoms of adrenal crisis, give yourself an emergency injection of your prescribed medication. If it is not available, go to the nearest emergency room or call 911.